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Chapter 23: Second Aunt Moves In
After Grandma's funeral, Second Aunt divorced with lightning speed and moved, with cousin Kong Xiaoxi, into Grandparents' old home. Qi, now aware of his father's relationship with Second Aunt, wasn't surprised. Grown-ups' affairs felt remote to him, especially since Father had already said he wouldn't divorce Mother.
Qi focused on the idea of visiting Xiangyun Temple and Master Pingshan to seek guidance.
At school, Beigong Lingyu's chilly attitude troubled Qi. He thought their feud was over, but she refused to acknowledge him though at least she no longer bullied him physically. Qi didn't dwell on it; after class, he went to Xiangyun Temple.
The ticket seller still eyed Qi with dislike, but let him in free. He found Master Pingshan, who was studying a go game record. Without pausing, the priest pointed to a bench for Qi to sit. Qi glanced at the board and immediately identified the game: "Danghu Ten Games?"
Pingshan looked up, surprised: "You know go?"
Qi replied, "I'm amateur first dan." Years locked in at home had him reading, then learning go by grade four. Kids progress fast; by graduation from sixth grade, he'd earned his first dan and met his only real friend, Zhou Yi, through go. Zhou was even stronger though officially a first dan, everyone said he played at third dan and above.
Master Pingshan beamed. "Come, come, let's play! Didn't expect you to know go and even hold a dan rank?" He cleared the board immediately.
Qi recalled he was here for advice, but sat at the opposite side of the board. "I'm first dan, so I should give you a handicap "
"What?" Pingshan always thick-skinned, suggested handing him nine stones. Qi sweated seeing nine white stones placed at the star points. "No confidence asking for nine stone handicap?" Qi teased.
"Of course! First dan, can't be careless," Pingshan retorted.
"Three stones should be plenty for a teaching game," Qi countered, and played at sansan.
From his manner, Qi guessed Pingshan was a wild-style player needing direct combat instead of formal fuseki.
They chatted as they played.
"Last time at the funeral hall, you said my face looked ill-omened and predicted more family deaths. You were right, so I came for guidance," Qi explained.
"Not your face, but your mother's hers is ill-omened," Pingshan answered.
"But why, after a decade of peace, did disaster come now?"
"If I'm correct, there are two possibilities: One, a master previously performed rituals or gave feng shui advice, keeping calamity at bay for years. Two, your mother unwittingly depleted your family's luck through wrongful acts, accidentally preserving peace until now by leaking fortune," Master Pingshan proposed.
Qi thought of Mother's affairs and pondered silently. If cheating counts as 'evil,' the priest's logic fits; only after Mother stopped seeking affairs did Grandfather and Grandmother die.
"So what should I do? Ask my mother to do evil?"
The priest hesitated monks should advise good. After thinking hard, he shook his head. "Not my wish, but there's no other way."
They sat in silence.
"What kind of evil should she do? Don't tell me murder and arson! That's just asking for death by the police."
Pingshan frowned. "I wish I could help, but I have no solution. Do you know about late Zhou dynasty's Empress Xuan Yi?"
Qi, a voracious reader, answered: "Second empress to Emperor Chai Rong, surname Fu her name's unclear in records."
"Empress Fu's face matched your mother's!" Pingshan declared.
"Really?" Qi recalled her history: first married to Li Shouzhen's son, Li Chongxun. Someone prophesied her 'destined for empress,' so Li Shouzhen believed this would make him and his son emperors. He rebelled, failed, his whole family slaughtered. Fu survived her father was close to Guo Wei, who crushed the rebellion. She then married Guo Wei's adopted son Chai Rong, became empress when Guo Wei founded Later Zhou, and was empress indeed.
"She never did evil herself, but Li Shouzhen's clan was lost, and Chai Rong died young his luck thinned by marrying her. Only Song Taizu managed to use her fortune, extending the Song dynasty for centuries," Pingshan recited. "Your mom's features aren't as bizarre, but still formidable. Unless she makes a major transgression… it's difficult."
"Then, can we do what Taizu did borrow luck?"
Pingshan waved his hands. "Taizu had the sage Xi Yi, but even he ended up in suspicion. That's far too risky for us."
Qi shivered and pressed hard in their game, outplaying Pingshan even after giving a nine-stone handicap.
When Qi left, it was nightfall. For him, this trip was only worth it for thrashing Pingshan at go. Still, Master Pingshan used the game's result to divine an omen. After much calculation, he pronounced it medium-good: fortune had perhaps shifted to the elder generation (his grandparents), so the Li family would be safe for a while, perhaps even improve. But he couldn't say how long, only advised Qi to visit often for more readings.
Qi realized the priest just wanted more go matches no serious player would keep playing with Pingshan.
At home, cousin Kong Xiaoxi opened the door.
Inside, Second Aunt and Aunt were present. Aunt shot him a look, and Qi understood Father would explain Second Aunt's situation tonight.
Indeed, once Qi came in, his parents called him to their room.
Father hesitated for a long time. Seeing this, Mother said, "Wei Ying, it's hard for you to say let me tell Qi."
Father nodded, left, and shut the door.
Alone, Mother asked: "Do you know you have a sister?"
Qi didn't hide it. He nodded.
"Your Aunt told you?" Mother asked.
"Yes last time you said Dad loved another woman, so I asked Aunt. She explained it all."
Mother sighed softly. "Since you've learned from your Aunt, I won't repeat myself. Your Second Aunt is divorced; your sister will move in with her soon… She's the one who came with your Second Aunt to the funeral you've met."
Qi smiled wryly. "More than just met… twice now…"
Mother observed him. "If this was before, I'd never have told you, but you've matured much sooner than I imagined. Your cousin Xiaoxi is actually your real sister too."
Qi nodded. "I knew already Aunt suspected ages ago."
"Aunt… aunt… always 'Aunt' with you!" Mother suddenly stood, upset. "Qi, I've noticed you acting strangely since you came back from Aunt's. Tell me what has she taught you? Why so close, sharing everything? I'm still your mother aren't I closer?"
Qi looked up, seeing jealousy mixed with disappointment and expectation on Mother's face. He wasn't surprised; a mother learning her son was closer to another woman would naturally feel lost.
Mother put her hands on Qi's shoulders, bent down, face close to his. "Qi, I've told you my secrets. I hope you won't hide anything from me… OK?" Her eyes were full of longing.
Her straight nose, red lips right in front of him Qi nearly lost himself.
"Mom… come on. Hard to ask you directly… that's why I go to Aunt," he deflected, fearing Mother would pursue the topic of Aunt further.
He quickly changed the subject: "Mom, you won't divorce Dad, right?"
It was a timely question. With Second Aunt divorced and moving in, Mother's relationship with Father was the immediate concern.
Mother loosened her grip, sat back on the bed, and answered, "No, I won't divorce your father," her eyes fixed on the floor.
"And Second Aunt…?"
"Your dad will handle it. You don't need to worry." Mother's tone was dim.
"So what should I call her?" Mother's look made Qi feel sympathetic.
"She's always been your mom's sister. She'll still be Second Aunt," Mother said impatiently.
"Got it. If you've nothing more, I'll go."
Mother's lazy pose on the bed fired Qi's imagination, which triggered a physical reaction he couldn't control. He had lost confidence in self-control just a little teasing from Sister and he lost it, let alone with his beautiful mother.
Mother, unaware, simply nodded, having finished what she wanted to say.
Leaving the room, he saw Aunt and Second Aunt laying out dinner. He nodded to Father, signaling understanding, and Father relaxed, gathering the family with a broad smile.
Mother joined them at the table.
Father was clearly happy.
Second Aunt give Qi grateful looks; she knew if Qi didn't acknowledge her, Father would struggle to keep peace. She plied him with food, and he accepted kindly. Knowing Second Aunt's complicated and enduring love for Father, Qi had gained respect for her.
Sister Xiaoxi seemed glum Second Aunt had hidden some facts from her. The little sister was still feeling her parents' divorce deeply.
Aunt, seeing her upset, took her onto her lap and coaxed her to smile.
Mother's smile was fixed, nearly frozen.
To Father, everything seemed harmonious. Qi, though, felt like his own expression was a mask.
After dinner, Qi tried to retreat to his room, but Aunt grabbed his collar and tossed him outside: "Go do your routine! Don't slack off. And stop at the market for salt their family's about out…"
Qi obediently went out for his evening run.
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